Washington Week Show - # 4452
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "Open"
Washington Week Show # 4452 - Segments: "Hot Days - Hot Debate," "Elections Abroad" (Iran and Lebanon), "All On the Same Page?" (John Bolton, Social Security). Hosted by Gwen Ifill, with guests Martha Raddatz, Doyle McManus, Jim VandeHei, and Jackie Calmes. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: park area with Capitol Dome in the distance; aftermath of car bombing; Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield says, "Timing in war is never predictable. There are no guarantees, and any who say that we've lost this war or that we're losing this war are wrong, we are not." Unidentified man says, "The public views this everyday, Mr. Secretary. More and more like Vietnam." American troops outside residence in Iraq (small explosion inside). Condoleezza Rice says, "We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people." Middle Eastern woman placing ballot in box (voting). Capitol Dome. Bill Frist. John Bolton. Social Security checks being printed. Karl Rove speaking at a podium.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "War in Iraq"
Gwen Ifill on the current situation in Iraq, and the Iraqi Prime Minister visiting the White House in a show of unity with the President. U.S. President George W. Bush saying, "Part of the coalition's job is to give these Iraqi units the training necessary to be able to fight the terrorists. That's our strategy, and it's working and it's going to work for the good of the country." Martha Raddatz of ABC News, recently returned from an assignment in Iraq, give her analysis of how the current U.S. strategy in Iraq is working-- the focus has shifted from fighting to training Iraqi forces. Real progress is being made, in that Iraqi soldiers are now better trained and prepared to fight.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "War in Iraq"
Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times asks Martha Raddatz of ABC News if the newly trained and equipped Iraqi soldiers are prepared to fight their own countrymen, i.e. insurgents. She admits that is a big question that has been largely left avoided and unanswered. The insurgents are getting better at fighting back, with more foreign fighters pouring into the country, and an increase in suicide bombings. They are not "in the last throes." There is concern that some of the soldiers being trained by U.S. forces are actually loyal to the insurgency.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "Elections in Iran"
Gwen Ifill segues into new segment: Condolezza Rice and her Middle East tour spreading the "gospel of democracy." Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times discusses Rice's message, pushing even America's allies towards more democratic policies. The real concern is the recent election in Iran where hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won Presidency. Split screen of McManus and the Iranian leader. The Bush Administration, taken aback by the results (Ahmadinejad was not the favored candidate to win), question the results, given that the clergy in Iran restrict the number of candidates who can run for office. Rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "Democracy in the Middle East"
Jim VanderHei of the Washington Post asks Doyle McManus of the Los Angeles Times about the political situation in Egypt, especially after First Lady Laura Bush's visit and some of the comments she made regarding elections and the current regime. McManus says the White House felt it struck the wrong tone and came out too much in favor of the Mubarak regime, hence the reason for Condolezza Rice's strong statement of support for a more transparent and democratic process in Egypt. However, Doyle points out that could result in electing a regime that is not friendly to the United States. Gwen Ifill moves the topic of democracy toward another country in the Middle East: Lebanon. McManus says those elections brought good news to the US in terms of democratic progress, but there is still a ways to go with regards to sectarian violence in the country. McManus mentions that while the Bush administration wants to push democracy all over the Middle East, they do not like to talk about the risk (regional instability). Moreover, within the talk of spreading democracy is the goal of the Bush Administration to facilitate regime changes in countries like Syria, Iran, and North Korea.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "White House and Congress"
Gwen Ifill introduces new segment: the confirmation of John Bolton as UN Ambassador. Senator Bill Frist walking to podium outdoors. Jim VandeHei of the Washington Post provides analysis on why President Bush keeps pushing for Bolton's confirmation. The same stubbornness over Bolton's nomination is also reflected in his recent dealings with Congress and members of his own party. Jackie Calmas of the Wall Street Journal says that senators and congressmen are trying to work and compromise with the President, but have been frustrated by the lack of consultation or inclusion to policy coming from the White House.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "White House and Congress"
Show host Gwen Ifill asks Jim VanderHei of the Washington Post if President Bush is realizing that winning a second does not mean getting your way becomes any easier. He affirms, that Bush's closest ally in the Senate (Bill Frist) is trying to help him accomplish his goals, but has been unsuccessful at least twice in doing so. Ifill wonders why the President won't simply perform a recess appointment with UN Ambassador nominee John Bolton. VanderHei says the appointment will be temporary and doesn't give Bolton or the administration enough time to attempt the reforms they seek at the UN. Given this and issues with Social Security reform going nowhere, the new focus for victory will likely shift to an energy bill that Bush has wanted to get done for four years. Even that shift in focus could fall apart, though, if rumors of a Supreme Court justice retirement are true. Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal points out that even if the energy bill gets done, the short term effects will have no impact on gas prices, which have been rising, and that will continue to be an issue for congressmen up for election.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "Social Security Reform"
Show host Gwen Ifill turns the subject to Social Security reform. U.S. President George W. Bush says, "I'm pleased to see some Republican members of the House and the Senate have started laying out ideas. I've been laying out ideas... I think it's time for the leadership in the Democratic party to start laying out ideas." Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal notes that Bush's strategy has not changed (benefit reductions to keep Social Security solvent), but Congressional Republicans have changed their strategy. They no longer want to take up a fight that looks too painful to win so they are crafting more of a political document rather than an actual bill that could be passed to show their "willingness" to reform Social Security. Ironically, this is occurring as the President is doing a good job educating the electorate about the perils the Social Security program is in.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "Social Security Reform"
Martha Raddatz of ABC News is curious what the next step would be if Congressional Republicans are giving up the fight, but President Bush is still out pushing for social security reform. Jackie Calmes of the Wall Street Journal isn't entirely sure what will happen next but notes Bush will lay this down at the feet of his own party in Congress if nothing is done. On the other side of the aisle, she detects no pressure for Democrats to come and pump new life into the effort to reform.
Washington Week Show - WW 4452 - "What Were They Thinking? / Close"
Show host Gwen Ifill introduces another entry into the segment known as "What Were They Thinking?" Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove speaking: "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war. Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding to our attackers." Ifill asks viewers to write and tell those at Washington Week their thoughts (contact information on screen). She wraps the show.